0 | P a g e

DUNDONALD PRIMARY AND

EARLY YEARS CENTRE

WELCOME BACK – AUGUST NEWSLETTER

……………………………………………………………………… SESSION 2019-2020

UNCRC Article 13 – I have the right to find out and share information.

1 | P a g e

WELCOME BACK!

On behalf of all of the staff at Dundonald Primary and Early Years Centre, I am delighted to welcome

everyone back after our summer break. We would especially like to welcome all new pupils and their

families to our school and early years centre.

We are all looking forward to the year ahead and already the children are settled and working hard.

It has been a pleasure to see the children welcome one another – and all of the staff - back after the

holiday. Our staff have been very impressed with the excellent manners, kind, friendly and helpful

behaviour throughout the school. We are particularly proud of our P7 pupils who are doing an

excellent job of buddying our new P1 pupils at lunchtime.

The purpose of this newsletter is to share information with you which we hope is helpful at the

beginning of term.

STAFFING UPDATE

We welcomed two new members of staff to our Early Years Centre at the beginning of term, Mrs

Flora LeRoy and Mrs Joanna Allan. Both Mrs LeRoy and Mrs Allan are Early Years Practioners and we

are pleased to welcome them to our team.

In the school, we are delighted to welcome Mrs Mitchell back after Maternity Leave – Mrs Mitchell

teaches P5, Monday to Thursday. On a Friday, P5 will be taught by Mrs Petrie, who many of the

children know very well already. We are also very fortunate to welcome Mrs Spraggs to our teaching

staff – Mrs Spraggs is teaching P5/6 this session.

Congratulations to Mrs Wyper, one of our school assistants, who has been successful at interview for

the post of Welfare Officer with South Ayrshire Council. This post is a secondment for 23 months.

Mrs Wyper has been instrumental in leading our nurture work here in Dundonald and we will all miss

her enormously. Mrs Wyper will move on to her post of Welfare Officer on Monday 9th September.

Her school assistant post is currently going through the vacancy process and I will let you know when

a new member of staff is appointed.

OUR STAFF TEAM

Early Years Centre

Early Years Centre Teacher: Mrs Laura Petrie

Early Years Practitioners: Mr David Hardie, Mrs Katie Freer (Maternity Leave), Mrs Flora LeRoy

(Maternity Cover), Miss Kirsten MacPherson, Mrs Leona Barr (nee. Welsh), Ms Catrina Marshall

(previously Barr), Miss Tia Dunlop, Mrs Lindsay MacDonald (EYP Modern Apprentice), Mrs Joanna

Allan (cover for vacant Senior EYP position – currently advertised)

Class Teachers

P1: Mrs Catherine Muir P2: Mrs Lorna Street and Mrs Yvonne Seditas (Thurs, Fri)

P2/3: Mrs Catherine McDowall P4: Mrs Shona Dunsmuir

2 | P a g e

P5: Mrs Claire Mitchell (Mon–Thurs) and Mrs Laura Petrie (Friday)

P5/6: Mrs Siobhan Spraggs

P6/7: Miss Rayanne Riddell (Mon-Thurs) and Mrs Julia Kerr (Friday)

P7: Mr Steven Nutt

Additional Support for Learning Teacher: Ms Caroline Nelson (Mon, Tues)

Specialist Music Team

Music Teacher: Mr Richard Hill (Wednesdays)

Violin Instructor: Elsbeth MacLeod (1 afternoon per week)

Senior Leadership Team

Head Teacher: Mrs Fiona Paterson

Depute Head Teacher: Mrs Julia Kerr

Acting Principal Teacher: Miss Catherine McDowall

School Assistants: Mrs Eileen Quinn, Mrs Jennifer Wyper and Mrs Cheryl Martin

Clerical Assistants: Mrs Susan Wilson, Mrs Shona Jack

Janitor and Crossing Patrol Officer: Mr Fergus Cairns

Catering Supervisor: Mrs Janice Wilson

Catering Assistants: Mrs Bridie Sutterfield, Miss Sarah McCormick, Mrs Lisa Renucci

Cleaning Supervisor: Mrs Thelma Smith

Cleaning staff: Mrs Irene Culley, Mrs Martha Mullen

School nurse: Nurse Ann McKay

Campus Police Officer (Marr Cluster): PC Andy Harrower

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS AND REFURBISHMENT

Our school has benefited from refurbishment work which was carried out over the summer holiday.

All 6 classrooms, the ICT hub and the art and design area were re-floored, which has made an

incredible difference – it is now a bright, fresh and modern space for learning.

IMPROVING OUR OUTDOOR SPACES FOR PLAYING AND LEARNING

This session, we will focus on improving the outdoor areas around the school. You may have already

spotted the changes to the fenced grass area at the front of the school. Over the coming year, we

hope to transform this into an ‘Outdoor Classroom and Friendship Garden’. In addition to the reading

area, water trays and mud kitchen which have already been created, we plan to add planters, seating

and construction materials for the children to play with.

3 | P a g e

In addition to the variety of outdoor toys (skipping ropes, frisbees, balls and bean bags) kindly

purchased by the Parent Council in the summer term last session, we plan to develop our playground

area by adding natural and upcylced ‘loose parts’ for the children to play with.

If you are able to help in any way, perhaps by donating items or by giving a little of your time to help

classes set-up the outdoor spaces, we would be

extremely grateful.

Please contact the school if you would like to volunteer

or if you are able to donate any of the following items:

car tyres

empty wooden cable reels

bottle crates/bread baskets

discs of wood

decking boards or scaffolding boards

IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE AND GOOD TIME KEEPING

We are a Rights Respecting School and promote the importance of

good attendance. Good attendance enables children to make the

most of the opportunities available to them in school - educational

research shows a clear link between attendance and achievement.

We will always do all we can to support families to help children

attend school.

Over the past two years, like other schools, we have noticed an

increase in the number of family holidays during term time. Family

holidays taken during term time will be recorded as unauthorised. Only in

exceptional and very limited circumstances will the school authorise a

family holiday during term time. Parents are asked to contact the school

to discuss family holidays.

It is important that children arrive at school by 9am. Being late can be very unsettling for children as

they may miss instructions or information about what is happening in their day. If your child is late

for school, please take him/her to the school office and our office staff will help direct your child to

their class.

Benefits of loose parts:

Increasing levels of creative and

imaginative play

Children play co-operatively and socialise

more

Children are physically more active

Loose parts facilitate communication and

negotiation skills when added to an outdoor

space

4 | P a g e

PUPIL ABSENCE PROCEDURES

If your child is unwell - or for another reason is not able to attend school - it is vital that

you let the school know by telephoning our school office. Pupil safety is our very first

priority and for this reason it is essential that you contact us if your child is going to be

absent. If you do not contact the school, your child’s absence will be recorded as

unauthorised.

School phone lines open at 8.30am and close at 3.30pm.

Our school contact number is: 01292 690 075

OUR SCHOOL DAY

Our school day starts at 9.00am and finishes at 3.05pm. Within the school day children have a 15

minute interval and 50 minute lunch break.

Interval: 10.40 – 10.55am

Lunch: 12.35 – 1.25pm

HEALTHY SNACKS – MORNING INTERVAL

We would appreciate your support in providing your child with a small, healthy snack

for him/her to eat during interval. This snack could consist of a piece of fruit, a

biscuit or small yoghurt. A healthy snack can also be purchased from our school

kitchen each day. Where children have large chocolate bars or large bags of crisps at

morning break, we often find that they are not hungry enough to eat lunch at

12.35pm.

ALLERGIES – IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE. NUTS AND NUT BASED PRODUCTS

We have several children in school with very serious nut allergies. We therefore ask

for the support of all parents and carers in ensuring that children do not bring nuts or

nut based products (such as Nutella, chocolate spread or cereal bars containing nuts)

to school for their snack or packed lunch.

WATER BOTTLES – IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION

Children are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school each day. We ask that children arrive in

school in the mornings with their water bottles already filled. Should children require to refill their

water bottles, a water cooler is available in our central corridor. Children are

welcome to take their bottle out into the playground. Please may we ask that bottles

are labelled with a permanent marker, such as a sharpie pen, or that they have some

type of distinguishing label, as many children have matching water bottles.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

School Meals: School meals are provided by our catering team and are freshly prepared and cooked

in our school kitchen. School meals range from a hot cooked meal to soup and a sandwich -

children are always provided with a wide selection of nutritious and healthy food to choose

from. Please let the school know if your child has special dietary requirements or allergies,

as these can be catered for. The school lunch menu can be found by searching online for

‘South Ayrshire Primary School Lunches’. The menu has also been included at the end of this booklet

– this includes an overview of the sandwich fillings available each day.

5 | P a g e

Free School Meals: School meals for all Primary 1-3 children in Scotland are free up to the value of

£2.15. Your P4-7 child may be also entitled to a free school meal – details can be found online by

searching ‘South Ayrshire School Free School Meal and Clothing Grant’. Alternatively, please speak

with our office staff who will be happy to help you.

Cashless Catering: Within Dundonald Primary School we operate a cashless catering system. If you

wish to add money to your child’s account to top up the value of their school meal – or purchase a

snack at morning break time - then you are be able to do so. Cash can be sent into school in an

envelope labelled with: child’s name, class and amount of money enclosed. Alternatively, you can pay

money into your child’s account online – further details can be found by searching online for ‘South

Ayrshire No Drama’ or by speaking with our office staff.

HOME LUNCHES

In the interests of pupil safety, pupils who are going home for a home lunch should be collected from

the school office at 12.35pm and returned to the school via the office no later than 1.25pm. This

helps to ensure that children are safe as there is no crossing patrol at this time.

COMMUNICATION

Please may I highlight the importance of school having up-to-date contact details for

each child? If any of your contact details change please notify the office as soon as

possible. Important information is often sent out via text message and it is also vital

that we are able to contact you (or your designated emergency contact) should your

child become unwell.

I would also like to stress the importance of checking your child’s school bag each day for letters or

home learning activities set by your child’s class teacher.

If you have a concern regarding any aspect of your child’s time at school please make an

appointment, in the first instance, with your child’s class teacher. Please telephone the

school office or put a note in your child’s communication diary requesting an

appointment, or return call, from your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacher will

endeavour to get back to you as soon as they can. If you wish to speak to either Mrs Kerr, or to me,

about any concerns, please telephone the school office to make an appointment – again, we will do our

best to meet with parents as soon as we can. We are here to listen and to support our children and

families in Dundonald and we very much encourage parents and carers to speak with us if they have

any concerns or questions.

We understand that parents may have quick messages which they would like to pass on quickly to

their child’s class teacher at 9am. At 9am, our teachers have the very important job of greeting

their children and ensuring that children are all set for the school day ahead. We ask for your

understanding and support at this busy time.

If you wish to pass a message to a teacher at 9am, parents and carers are encouraged to either

speak with a member of our office staff who will pass the message on, or write a note to your child’s

class teacher in advance, and pass this to the teacher through your child’s communication

diary/school bag. Should you wish to discuss any concern or question in more detail, we ask that you

make an appointment, where we will be happy to help you.

6 | P a g e

SCHOOL WEBSITE, TWITTER AND PARENT COUNCIL FACEBOOK PAGE

Our school website contains information about Dundonald Primary and Early Years Centre, including

electronic versions of our School Newsletters. Our website can be found at:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sa/dundonaldpsandeyc

Please note that our new website replaces the Dundonald Primary App. The website contains all of

the information which was previously available on the App. This is a significant financial saving to the

school, as we previously had to pay an annual fee for the App.

Parent Council Facebook: Our Parent Council also runs a popular Facebook page specifically for

Parent Council news. The Facebook page is called ‘Friends of Dundonald Primary and Early Years

Centre’. They also make use of the page to remind parents of school diary dates – parents have found

this particularly useful.

School Twitter Account: We also use twitter to share school news and achievements. Please find us

on twitter by searching online for ‘Dundonald Primary and EYC Twitter’ or by going to the twitter app

and searching for @dundonaldps.

P.E.

All classes in the school will have 2 P.E. lessons each week in our Gym Hall. It is essential that all

pupils change into their P.E. kit for P.E. lessons and remove all jewellery in order to help ensure the

safety of all pupils. Where pupils have pierced ears, earrings should be removed. If it is not possible

for earrings to be removed, we ask that you inform your child’s class teacher in writing and provide

suitable tape (micropore tape) which your child will be asked to cover the earrings with.

We encourage all pupils to store P.E. kits in school so that they are readily

available. Our gym kit consists of:

gym shoes,

shorts

t-shirt or polo shirt.

It is helpful if children wear a polo shirt on P.E. days as this makes changing for P.E. easier.

P.E. days

P1: Monday & Wednesday P2: Wednesday & Friday P2/3: Monday & Thursday

P4: Tuesday & Thursday P5: Tuesday & Thursday P5/6: Tuesday & Wednesday

P6/7: Tuesday & Thursday P7: Tuesday & Thursday

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS – SOUTH AYRSHIRE ACTIVE SCHOOLS – ONLINE REGISTRATION

This term, there will be a variety of after-school clubs on offer from our colleagues at Active

Schools – these will commence week beginning Monday 2nd of September (on Mondays, Tuesdays and

Wednesdays, for P2-7 initially).

We are going to trial using online registration for the After School Clubs which are led by Active

Schools. Later in the week, we will send you a text message with a link to the online registration

form – this can be accessed from your smart-phone. If you are not able to access the internet via

your phone, please contact the school and we help you to register your child.

7 | P a g e

MOBILE PHONES

The use of mobile phones by pupils during school time is not permitted. We ask for the support of all

parents and carers in this by encouraging children to leave mobile phones at home. Where necessary,

children are given access to the school phone through the school office. Where pupils are given

permission by their parents to bring mobile phones to school, mobile phones should be turned off as

soon as children arrive in the school playground in the morning until the end of the day at 3.05pm.

Phones must be kept in school bags, switched off, from 9.00am until 3.05pm.

LOST AND FOUND – LABELLING ESSENTIAL

Please may we ask that all parents and carers take time to label all items of clothing (particularly

jackets), packed lunch bags and school bags with your child’s name. We find that

writing names on items with a ball-point pen works just as well as pre-printed labels.

The labelling of items helps enormously as it enables us to return misplaced items to

children quickly and easily. Your support here is very much appreciated.

INFORMAL PARENTS’ EVENING – WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER (3.10PM-4.10PM)

We extend a very warm welcome to parents and carers to come into school between

3.10pm and 4.10pm on Wednesday 4th September. This is an opportunity for you to visit

your child’s classroom, meet your child’s class teacher and to find out a little about what

the children have enjoyed learning so far, as well as what they are looking forward to

learning next.

DIGGING’ DUNDONALD 2019

As you know, we are very fortunate to work in close partnership with Dundonald Castle.

Kirsten and her team at the castle have planned an event called ‘Diggin Dundonald 2019’. Diggin’

Dundonald will be led by Dundonald Castle staff in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland

and Centre for Field Archaeology. This excavation event will be open to everyone and takes place

between Saturday 21st September and the 4th October.

Following the success of the test-pitting which took place within the school grounds in June 2019, all

classes from P1-P7 will have the opportunity to further develop their skills as junior archeologists by

participating in the Diggin’ Dundonald event. The children will visit the castle over Monday 30th

September and Tuesday 1st October – details to follow in a separate letter. We are grateful to the

castle for funding this activity for the children.

HOME-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

On behalf of everyone at Dundonald, please may I take this opportunity to thank families for their

support. Working in close partnership with parents is very important to us and we are grateful for

everything you have done to help the children settle into school this week.

I am aware that you are getting a lot of information at once and thank you for understanding the

importance of sharing this with you.

With very best wishes,

Fiona Paterson

Head Teacher

8 | P a g e

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY AUGUST 2019 – JUNE 2020

We hope that the following list of dates is helpful in planning your family calendar. As the term progresses,

this will be added to and I will keep you informed of important dates as they emerge.

September 2019

Wednesday 4th Sept: Informal Parents’ Afternoon – Meet the Teacher (3.10-4.10pm)

Sunday 8th Sept: Dundonald Flower Show (local event in Montgomerie Hall featuring art work from all pupils

– admission is free and doors open at 5.45pm)

Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September: Live @ Troon – (local event) Parade on Sunday 15th, Portland St at

12pm. Children’s Talent Show at 1pm in Town Hall (two acts from Dundonald will represent Dundonald PS at

the Live @ Troon Talent Show – we will hold our own ‘P4-7 Dundonald’s Got Talent in school on Fri 6th Sept)

Fri 20th Sept: School Closed – Local Holiday

Monday 23rd Sept: School Closed – Local Holiday

Tuesday 24th Sept: Inservice day for staff (school closed to pupils)

Saturday 21st Sept – 4th October: “Diggin’ Dundonald 2019” Archaeological Dig (local event)

Wednesday 25th Sept: Pupils return

Sunday 29th September: “Delve into Dundonald” Re-enactment at Dundonald Castle – local event – delve into

Dundonald’s past and meet the characters who have featured

Monday 30th Sept: Maths Week Scotland – Celebrating the importance of maths in our everyday lives

Monday 30th Sept: P1-P4 classes to visit Dundonald Castle to participate in “Diggin’ Dundonald” – separate

letter to follow

October 2019

Tuesday 1st Oct: P5-P7 classes to visit Dundonald Castle to participate in “Diggin’ Dundonald” – separate

letter to follow

Friday 4th Oct: P1 Class Assembly at 9.20am – Warm welcome to families to join us for this in our gym hall

Thursday 10th Oct: Parents’ Appointments (3.30pm – 9.00pm)

Friday 11th Oct: Harvest Service in support of local foodbank (for pupils) – led by P7 House Captains

Friday 11th Oct: School closes for October holiday at 3.05pm

Monday 21st Oct: Inservice day for staff (school closed to pupils)

Tuesday 22nd Oct: Pupils return

November 2019

Friday 1st Nov: P1 Class Assembly at 9.20am – Warm welcome to families to join us for this in our gym hall

Friday 15th Nov: P4 Class Assembly at 9.20am – Warm welcome to families to join us for this in our gym hall

Monday 18th – Friday 22nd Nov: Money and Finance Week – Whole school focus on financial education

Friday 22nd Nov: ‘Sharing Our Learning’ Open Afternoon at 2.30pm – Warm welcome extended to families

to visit school and talk with their children about what they have been learning in numeracy and maths

December 2019

Friday 6th Dec: School Christmas Fayre 2pm-4pm – Warm welcome extended to families and the local

community to join us for our Christmas Fayre which will take place in the activity centre. Children and

staff may add a Christmas twist to their usual school uniform if they wish e.g. Christmas hat, tinsel in hair,

Christmas headband, Christmas tie or Christmas jumper.

Tuesday 10th Dec: Flu Immunisation for P1-7 (please look out for consent forms in schoolbags – please

complete and return to school. If your child does not bring a consent form home, please contact us)

Monday 16th Dec: P7 Induction morning at Marr College (walkabout)

Monday 16th Dec: P5 Christmas Party (all P5 pupils) at 1.45pm with Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Spraggs

Tuesday 17th Dec: P3 and P4 Christmas Party at 1.45pm with Mrs Dunsmuir and Mrs McDowall

Wednesday 18th Dec: P1 and P2 Christmas Party at 1.45pm with Mrs Muir and Mrs Street

Thursday 19th Dec: EYC Christmas Parties at 10.30am and 2.00pm

Friday 20th Dec: Christmas Service – Warm welcome extended to families to join us for this

Friday 20th Dec: School closes at 2.30pm for holiday

Date for P6 and P7 joint Christmas party to follow – we will speak with the children about the plan for this.

9 | P a g e

January 2020

Monday 6th Jan: Pupils and staff return following holiday

Monday 6th Jan until Fri 24th Jan: Scottish Culture Month – Whole school focus on Scotland and Scottish

Culture

Friday 24th Jan: 2pm P1-7 Scottish Showcase – Warm welcome extended to all families to join us in our

school gym hall (activity centre) for our P1-7 Scottish Showcase. This will be followed by our Early Years

Showcase which will take place for Early Years families in our EYC at 2.30pm.

February 2020

Thursday 6th Feb: P7 Burns Supper – Warm welcome extended to P7 parents to join us for our annual Burns

Supper in our school gym hall at 2pm.

Friday 7th Feb: School closed (local holiday)

Monday 10th Feb: School closed (local holiday)

Tuesday 11th Feb: Inservice day for staff (school closed to pupils)

Wednesday 12th Feb: Pupils return

Friday 14th Feb: P6/7 Class Assembly at 9.20am – Warm welcome to families to join us for this in our gym

hall

Friday 20th Feb: P7 Marr Transition Day – Including a focus on Careers Education

Friday 27th Feb: Parents’ Appointments 3.30-9.00pm

Friday 28th Feb: P2 Class Assembly

March 2020

Friday 6th March: P5 Class Assembly

Tuesday 10th March: Marr Welcome Evening for P7 Parents (6pm, Marr College)

Friday 27th March: P2/3 Class Assembly

April 2020

Thursday 2nd April: Easter Service – warm welcome extended to families to join us

Thursday 2nd April: School closes for holiday at 2.30pm

Monday 20th April: School re-opens to staff and pupils

May 2020

Monday 4th May: Holiday

Friday 15th May: P5/6 Class Assembly

Monday 18th May until Thursday 21st May: P7 Residential Visit to Dolphin House (letter to follow for P7

pupils)

Monday 25th May: Holiday

Tuesday 26th May: Inservice day for staff (school closed to pupils)

Wednesday 27th May: Pupils return

Thursday 28th May: Early Years Centre Sports Afternoon – Warm welcome to families to join us

Friday 29th May: P1-7 Sports Afternoon – Warm welcome to families to join us

June 2020

Thursday 11th June: P7 Transition Day – Marr College

Friday 12th June: P7 Transition Day – Marr College

Wednesday 24th June: Early Years Centre Graduation – Warm welcome to families to join us

Thursday 25th June: P7 Moving On Ceremony – Warm welcome to families to join us

Friday 26th June: Closing Service – Warm welcome to families to join us

Friday 26th June: School closes for holiday at 1pm

10 | P a g e

SOUTH AYRSHIRE PRIMARY LUNCH MENU

11 | P a g e

SOUTH AYRSHIRE PRIMARY LUNCH MENU (continued)